Binding machine



Nov. 16, 1943.

Filed Nov. 15, 1939 I, SPINNER 2,334,589

BINDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 16, 1943. 1. SPINNER BINDINGMACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l Q H IIIF w/ 6 W wyPatented Nov. 16, 1943 13.1 3 5 r 1 id r Spinner, Chicago; U

Application November 13, 1939, serial N0,j303,998

This invention relates to machines books or stacks of sheets of paper bymeans or a resilient tubular binder of'the type such as shown, forinstance, in the United States patent to Douvry, No. 1,970,285, issuedAugust 14,1934;

The binder of the Douvrypatent,-whichonly one of the types of binderswhich canbe used in connection with the present invention, comprisesaback having a number of fingers extending therefrom and curled to atubular form. The material has'suflicient elasticity to permit thefingers to'spread open sufiiciently to receivea stack of pages, withoutexceeding the elastic limit of the material so that upon-release thefingers will resume the curled form under their own resiliency. l

The machineof the present invention is provided with means for holdingthe back,as' the curled fingers are being uncurled to receive a stack ofpages and for permitting the recurling of the fingers under their ownresiliency until they pass through aligned perforations'in afstack ofpages to be bound.

It is one of the objects 01 the present invention to provide a machineof the above mentioned character which is capableof high speed opera,-tion and which can be used with binders of different diameters with aminimum of adjustment of the machine. 7 It is a still further object ofthe present invention to providenovel and improved mechanismforspreading or uncurling thefingers of the curled comb. Inaccordance'with the prior prace tice, of uncurling binders 'of the typehere mvalved, as exemplified, forinstance, in the patent to Nelson, etal., No. 2,108,136, issued February 18, 1938, it was, necessaryfirst toposition a curled comb or tubular binder in the machine'and then movearod lengthwise into the binder, which rod is' then moved at rightangles to the axis of the binder to uncurl the same. Thereafter, whenthe book has been bound, the rod must be retracted from the binderbefore the binder can be withdrawn from the machine. It is one of theobjects 01 the presentinvention' to provide a machine of the abovecharacter which can first grip the rings of the binder to uncurl thesame and then, by a continuous operation, uncurl'the fingers, therebyeliminating the-operations of in serting a rod through the binder andthen ultimately withdrawing the rod. I

In accordance with the principles of the present invention the machineis provided with an operating shaft and a number ofmechanisms-successively driven a continuous operation of the shaft, "oneor the mechanisms being driven from the shaft ;by a ,cam and-'theothermechanism teeth or fingersof the binder against side movement astheyrecurl following anuncufling operation Bylthis: arrangement the endsor the recurling fingers are always properly spaced'so that if theperforated stack of pages is properlypositioned with respecti to two ofthe fingers then all of the fingers are in'proper positions to enterthe' perforationa J i a f The attainment of theabove and further objectsofithe' present invention will be apparent from =;the 'following.-specification taken in conjunction 'withthe acco' panyingdrawing's forming apartlthereofiq Inthe drawings: w I Q Figure 1 is a front view of amachine embodying the present invention; I V v Figure 2 is aperspective-view of one'binder that can be used dn'the-machine of Figure1 1 Figure-3 is a sectionalview taken along the line a 3-3 01' Figure land' lookingin the direction" of illustrates ,a', typical binder thearrows Figure 4 is an end view of the'comb feed mechanism of Figure 3,showing the mechanism in an alternate position; a 1 Y Figure'5 is afragmentary sectional view taken along thejline 5-5 of Figure 3' andshowing the spreader hooks in one position} Figure 6 isa-viewsimilar'tofigure 5showing the spreader hooks=inf an alternate position;

" Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 'I-'! of Figure 3;

. Figureliisafraem ta y ing to Figure 1 and showing the mechanism in theposition occupied afte'r thef'spreader wires have been spread to gripthe; omb and before theuncurling operationfand J v a l Figure 9 is a,viewlcorresponding to Figure 8 and I ing position. I

Reterence may first be had toFigur'e'2, which y t be used with thepresent machine. The, binder I consists of a back; portion 2. and aplurality. of parallel fingers or 1 rings, 3ta'integral therewith, anduniformly spaced from one another as indicated atL The binder is made ofsuitable materialgwhichcan be curled into a longitudinal tubularrorm, asshown,

andwhichhas suflicient fiexibility'tp permit c sectional view extend-"showing the mechanism in its next succeed of the. spreader operatingblock to figures of the drawing illustrating the binding machine. Thebinding machine 6 has a right hand end frame I and a left hand endframeaof a similar shapes and secured together by a" front rail 9 and arear rail Hi, the rails being secured to the end frames by suitablemachine screws or bolts. A front top plate I2 is bolted to the-top ofthe end frames 1 and 8 and extends the full length of the machine. Thisplate is appreciably above the front rail 9, there being a space l3'between thetop of thefront rail 9 and thebottom of the front top plate-IZ. The front top plate has a number of parallelslots' I5 formed at" therear thereof and uniformly spaced apart, the spacings between the"slots-being substantially equal to the spacings 4 between adjacentrings 3 of the binderL' 'Arear top-plate I8 is also bolted orotherwisesecured to the end frames and extends forward from the rear.ofthe'machine to. a position almost but not quite at the rear edgeiofthe top front'plate l2. so that there is a longitudinally extendingslot. betweenthe front and rear top plates. This slot is filled-by athin tempered tool steellspring spreader finger plate ;.that'is'screwedto the forward "edge. of thereartop plate I... The: spreaderfinger plate2|! hasa number of spacedapartaligned spreader fingers 2| integraltherewith and each of'which extends vertically upward from the rear topplate 18. The istance, between the. centers of the spreader fingers 2|is equal to the distance between centers ofadjacent spacesbetweenfingers 3 ofthe binder The width of the spreader fingers 2l-is slightlyless than the width of the spaces 4 between-'the'flngersj of the binderI, as may be seen from Figure 5. As maybe seen from Figure. 7, thefingers 2| are, opposite the slots l5.- g V A pair of rear bearing boxesand av pair of front bearing boxes are bolted to the underside of the.rear top plate It and project downwardly therefrom; ;A 1 pair 1 ofoperating rams 28-48 are mounteddorlongitudinal 1movement in the bearingboxes, each; ram being supported in a front and a rear bearingbox, as isapparent from Figures 3 and '7. The rear 'ofeach operating ram isthreaded'and .extends-rearwardly of the rear rail l0, which rear rail isprovided with oversized openings through which the operating ,ramsextend. Therams are adapted for. longitudinal movement in thebearingboxes, and are provided Withadjustable' lock nuts 30 which abut againstthe re'arfbearing boxes 24 to. lim'itthe extent of forward movement ofthe. operating.

rams, as illustrated in Figure 9. Each operating ram includes anenlarged inter.- mediate portion; 32 having a milled channel.- shapedslot'33 therein in which a square head 34 fits closely and The spreaderoperating block has a cylindrical projection or pin 35 extendingforwardly thereof for engagement by an operating yoke 31. Therefare twooperatingyokes 31 both slides freely.

of which'are keyed to a rotary operating shaft 38 that is journalled inthe end frames 1 and 8. Each operating yoke-31 has an enlarged head 40at the top thereof, which head has an arcuate slot 4| formed therein,the are being curved about the axis of the shaft 38 as a center. The pin35 extends into and rides freely in the slot 4|. The enlarged head 40prevents the spreader operating block from dropping out of the channelslot 33. A spreader operating cam is integral with the operating yoke 31and includes a cam surface 46 curved alongian arc of a circle having itscenter coincident with the axis of the shaft ;3 8, and includes also acam surface 41 extending radially inwardly from the surface 46. '15- Atits forward end each operating ram 28 has a downwardly projectingsupport 50 integral therewith for supporting a spreader hook bar 5|.

The spreader hook bar 5| is adjustably locked tothe supports 50 of thetwo operating rams 28 many desired manner, as by machine bolts 52.'Tojfac'ilitate vertical adjustment, the spreader hook bar is providedwith elongated holes 53 for receiving the bolts 52, which holes are of aWidth only very slightly in excess of the diameter of the shanksof thebolts 52; An adjusting lock screw 54. threads through-the bottom of eachspreader hook support 50. andbears against the spreader hook bar 5| foraccurately positioning the same. By this arrangementithe spreader hookbar may be adjustedverticallywith great accuracy, but is capable of onlyoneposition lengthwise of the ch e- 1 The operat' g rams, ,together withthe spreader hook bar secured 5 thereto; are biased to their rearmostposition, which is the position illustrated in Figure 3, by a pair ofsprings 55. Each spring 55 is secured at the rear to a projection.or;-pin 56extending from the rear bearing boxes 24, which arestationary, and at its front .to a pin .51 secured. to.v the support 50of the operating ram,.

v The spreader'hock bar5l has anumber of spreader hooks 60 securedthereto. Each spreader hook comprises a spring wire bent to a U- shapewithv the ends of the wire then further brought together. into contact,as-indicated at 51 (Fig. .5). The top'ends of each wire are bentoutwardly, as indicated at .62. Each wire is secured to the spreaderhook bar 5| by a screw 63, the head of which bears against the bightportion of the spreader hook, and the shank of which threads into the.spreader hook support. The sides, of the spreader hooks 60 aremaintained imposition converging towards one another by short spreaderhook supporting pins that are pressed into holes inthe spreader hook barand project slightly therefrom. Each spreader hook 60 extends through aslot I5 to a position above the top plate 12. V The distance between theoutermost edgesof the outwardly bent parts 62 of each wire is only veryslightly less than the width'4 of the slotsbetween adjacent fingers ofthebinder I, so that when the spreader hooks 60 are in their normalposition the binder i may be positioned over thespreader hooks with theends 62 of the spreader wires extending into the spaces 4 betweenadjacentrings of the binder. The endsof the respective spreader hooksare in alignmentwith-the: spreader fingers 2|, as may be seen inFigure'5. The 'spacings'between adjacent spreader hooks is equal to thespacing of the slots .15 in thetop. plate 12. and equal to the spacingoftheslbts 4 between the rings s of the binder;

Two spaced gear racks I5 are formed on the underside of the bar10 andmesh with needle operating rack segments 11 at the ends of levers I8mounted for oscillating movement on a shaft I9 -journ'alled in the endframes I-8 'near'the front thereof.

Tempered steel spreader pins or needles Iii-are secured to the needlebar I and project-rear wardly thereof. These pins are press fitted intoholes in the needle bar, and are in alignment with I one'another andspaced apart so'that the pins 8| are opposite the centers of therespective spreader hooks 60. The rear or spreading end of each pin 8|is rounded off or tapered to a point as indicated at 04. Each of thesepins is adapted to enter between the arms of a spreader hook 60 forspreading the arms apart from the position illustrated in Figure to theposition illustrated in Figure 6.

Each lever I8 extends below the shaft I9 and has an operating rod 81secured thereto by a pivot pin 88 which also receives a spring 89, theopposite end of which is pinned as at 90 to a stationary part of themachine in order to bias the lever I8 to the position illustrated inFigure 3. The rear of the rod 81 is screwed to a yoke 9I adjacent thecam 45. A pair of tines 9292 of the yoke 9| ride freely on the shaft 38to support the rear of the rod and yoke combination 81-9I. The cam parts46 and 41 of the operating yoke 32' are adapted to bear against a roller48 carried by the yoke 9| for operating the yoke, in a manner which willbe apparent asthis description proceeds. A collar 49 screwed to theshaft38 adjacent each yoke 9| holds the yoke 9| against sliding lengthwisealong the shaft 38.

The operating shaft 38 may be rotated in any desired manner, as by anoperating arm 93 keyed to the shaft 38 and pivotally connected to anoperating link 94 which may be reciprocated in any desired manner, as bya foottreadle.

A hopper is provided at the top of the machine for holding the curledcombs, and a feed mechanism is provided for feeding the combsfrom thehopper one by one and automatically placing the fed comb in properposition for uncurling. The hopper is indicated in general by thereference numeral I00. The hopper comprises a supporting base I 0| whichis adjustably secured ,upon

the rear top plate I8, and includes right hand and left hand end membersI03, and an inclined front plate I04. A back plate I 06 is secured tothe two end members I03, and extends across the rear of the hopper in agenerally upwardly and inclined direction, as illustrated in Figure 3.Triangular end plates I08I09 are secured to the back plate I06 in anydesired manner, as by machine screws I I0. A slotted front closure plateH2 is adjustably secured to and extends between the triangular endplates I08-409. For this purpose each of the end plates is provided withan oversized slot H3 at the front edge, through which slot lockingscrews II5 extend. The inner end of each locking screw is threadedinto'a boss II 6 on the front closure plate H2.

a knurled head I I8 for turning the screw. The s'crewsII5 are screwedintothe bosses H6 and thus lock the plate H2 in its adjusted position.-The plate may be'adjusted both vertically and angularly. ,The frontclosure plate II 2 has a number of'leafsprings I secured thereto andextending beyond the bottom thereof. The front of the plate II2 has anumber of rectangular slots I2I thereinopposite the respective springsI20, to permit the springs I20 a greater freedom of flexibility. Theposition of the plate H2 is adjusted until the springs I20 are above theinclined front plate I04 an amount suificient to hold the combs againstfreely rolling out of the hopper and yet suiiiciently far from theinclined frontplate I04 so that by the application of a small pressureagainst a, comb the springs I20 are-flexed out of'thenway to permit theescape of the comb. g r

Atriangular aligning plate I 24 is positioned within the hopper. Thisaligned plate is mounted on a-shaft I25 that can be slid from left toright within the hopper to position the plate I24 ata desired distancefromthe inner surface of the end plate I08, that distance being madeequal to the length of the combs being used at the time. The shaft I25extends through the end plate I09, and is-locked in place by a splitclamp I 21, the lower arm of which is welded or otherwise securedto theoutside of the'end plate I09, and

the upper arm I28 of which may be clamped towards the lower arm to lockthe shaft I25. For this purpose ascrew I30 threads into the lower arm oftheclamp and bears against the arm I28, the screwbeing adapted to beturned by a pin I3I. The plate I 24 prevents shifting'of the combswithin the hopper and assures the positioning of all combs with theirends bearing against the inner surface of the plate I08.

Binder feeding means, in the form of an escapement mechanism, isprovided for advancing the combs I from the hopper, one by one. Thisescapement. mechanism includes a shaft I journalled in the end membersI03 of the supporting base I0 I, and provided with a trip handle I36keyed to one end thereof outside ofthe hopper and havinga finger portionI3'I for actuating the same toturn the shaft I 35. A coil spring I 38 isprovided for returning the escapement mechanism from its operatedposition illustrated in Figure 4, to its normal position illustrated inFigure 3. A number of discharge leversv I are secured to the operatingshaft I35. Each of these levers includes a radially extending portionwhich is press fitted through a radial hole in the shaft I 35, andincludes an arcuate portion I 4|. The levers I40 are spaced along theshaft I35, there being five such levers on the machine here illustrated,as may be seen from Figure 1. Opposite each, lever the inclined frontplate I04 has 'a slotI43 through which the lever I40 can move. 7 Eachslot is of a width only sufiicient to permit free movement of adischarge lever I 40. The levers I40 are positioned in the machine sothat. the top curved surface I 4| terminates substantially at the levelof the top ofthe lowermostcomb I, within the hopper. When the lever I36is actuated to rotate the shaft [35. in a clockwise direction thealigned levers I40 force forward to discharge the lowermost comb. At.

the same time the curved portions I 4| of the Each locking screw I15 hasa head'l II that bears against'the corresponding plate I08 01- I09, and

4- levers i4fl'support the remainingcombs and preJ-f venttheirescapesfrom the hopper.

The hopper is mounted on. the reartop plate 18 he; machine screws M8,the heads of which rest on a flange on the end members Hi4, and theshanks of which extend through oversizaed slots H8 in the flanges of theend members. The hopper is thus adjustable forwardly and rearwardly onthe base [8. Two threaded adjusting screws 15G extend rearwardly fromthe supporting base Ill at op-- posite ends thereof. Each screw I54extends through oversized holes in a pair of lugs I52 that are securedto therear top plate 18. A knurled nut I53 threaded on each screw lrides between the lugs I52, sov that by adjustment of the knurled nutsI53 the hopper maybe advancedor retracted onthe plate l8 to position thevertical front edge I58 of the hopper at exactly the requisite distancefrom the fingers of thespread'er finger plate 20. This distance isadjusted so that the back 2 of the binder fits snugly between thespreader finger plate 20 and the vertical front edge l53' of the hopper,while the curled fingers of the binder extend through the spaces betweenadjacent fingers 2!; This distance differs for binders of differentdiameter. I

An explanation will now be given of the mode of operation of the machinedescribed. Precurled plastic binders all of the same length are placedin the hopper 100, and the aligning plate I24 is adjusted to the left,as seen in Figure 1,

to such a position that the binders fit within the" hopper with the endsof all of the binders bearing against the end plate I 08. The frontclosure plate I I2 is adjusted vertically so that the springs in justprevent the passage'of the lowermost binder from the hopper. Theposition of the entire hopper on the plate I! is then adjusted forwardlyor rearwardly of the spreader finger plate 28 until the vertical frontedge Hill of the front inclined hopper plate I04 is at exactly therequisite distance from the spreader finger plate 20. This adjustment isefiected by turning the nuts I53. Thereafter the position ofthe hopperis fixed by locking the bolts I48. The machine is now ready foroperation. I

The operator first feeds a binder into position by moving the triphandle I36 downwardly, whereby the discharge levers I40 force thelowermost binder I out of the hopper. At this time the curved portionsl4| of the dischargelevers prevent the succeeding binders from fallingout of the hopper. The binder thus released rolls down the inclinedfront plate I04 until the binder strikes the spreader finger plate 20.At this time the spaces 4 between adjacent rings of the binder areopposite the respective spreader fingers 2| so that the ringsof thebinder pass into the spaces between adjacent spreader fingers 2!. Theback 2 of the binder thus reaches a position opposite the space betweenthe vertical front edge I58 of the feed mechanism and the spreaderfinger plate 20, and then falls into the position illustrated in Figure3. At this time the bent parts 62 of each spreader hook 60 are inthe'position illustrated in Figure 5, so that the binder rolls over thetop of the spreader hooks and ultimately assumes the positionillustrated in Figure 3 wherein the ends 6! of the spreader hooks are inthe spaces between adjacent rings of the binder. 3

The machine is now ready for operation to spread the binder. To effectthis operation the operator pulls downwardly upon the link 94, in

any desired manner, as by a foot. treadle. thus causing the operatingarm 93 to rotate. the operating shaft 18 in a clockwise direction, asseen in Figure 3. During the initial rotation, of the operating shaft38, resulting in turning of the operating yoke 31, the arcuate slot 4|of each yoke rides around the pin 35,so that no motion of the operatingrams 23 is produced. During thisinitial clockwise turning of theoperating yokes the cam surface 41 of the operating yoke bears againstthe cooperating cam surface or roller 48 on the yoke 9| andforces theyoke 9| to the right as seen in Figure '3. This produces acounter-clockwise rotation of the levers "about the shaft 19. The gearsegments H of the levers 18 operate on the gear racks I5 of the needlebar Ill and move the needle bar to the left from the positionillustrated in Figure 3 to that illustrated in Figure 8. During thisleftward movement of the needle bar '10 the needle bar is stillsupported by the enlarged heads 13 of the machine screws 12, Rearwardmovement'of the needle bar '10 causes the rear ends of the needles 8] toenter the spaces between adjacent prongs or tines of each spreader hook6B and spread the free endsof the spreader hooks from the positionsillustrated in Figure 5 to the positions illustrated in Figure 6. Theends 62 of each spreader hook thus enter the adjacent rings 3 of thebinder so that each ring} of the binder receives the outwardly bent part62 of the two adjacent spreader hooks. After the rod 81 has been moved ashort distance to the right to spread the spreader hooks 60 as above setforth, the arcuate cam surface 46 engages the roller 43 of the yoke 9!so that upon further rotation of the operating shaft 38, and with it theoperating yoke 31 the cam 45, the cam surface 46 retains the rod 81 inthe position to which it has been moved against the action of the returnsprings 89. At this time the lefthand end of the arouate slot 4! engagesthe pin 35, as seen in Figure 8, so that upon continued rotation of theoperating shaft 38 the operating yokes 31. acting upon the pins 35 forcethe operating rams 28 rightward against the action of the return springs55. This forces the support 50 and the spreader hook bar 51, carryingthe spreader hooks Bil, to the right. The spreader hooks ride upon thespreader pins 8| so that the spreader hooks are maintained spread. Thebent back portions 52 of the spreader hooks thus pull the rings of thebinder to the right. At this time the back 2 of the binder is held bythe spreader fingers 2| of the spreader finger plate 20 against forwardmovement. The respective rings of the binder are thus uncurled.

The operator may then position a stack of pages I69 having alignedperforations immediately in front of the spreader finger plate 20, withthe aligned perforations H0 in a position to receive the free ends ofthe fingers of the binder, as illustrated in Figure 9. The foot 'treadleis then gradually released, therebypermitting the springs 55 to returnthe operating rams 28 to the position illustrated in Figure 3. Thiscauses the spreader hook bar 5| to return to the position illustratedinFigure 3, and thereafter causes the needle bar 10 also to return tothe position illustrated in Figure 3 whereby the spreader hooks arefirst returned to their rearmost position and then the needles iii arewithdrawn "from between the prongs or tines of the spreader hooks topermit the spreader hooks to return to their normal position, asillustrated in Figure 5. The book with the pages bound therein by thebinder may then be removed from the-machineby merely .lifting upwardlyonthesame. r;

The lock nuts 30 are set for each size of binder so that the forwardmotion of the operating rams, and with it the spreader hooks, is limitedto such an extent that the fingers or rings of thebinder will be spreadsufiicientlyto permitinsertion of the pack of sheets but withoutallowingthe ends of the rings ofthe binder toescapefrom under the spreaderhooks. 1. ,1 I

In using rings of comparatively large diameter the requisite movement-ofthe ram to producethe necessary uncurling of the fingersmust'be-comparatively great. At such times it is necessary to guide thefree ends of jthetuncurling rings of the binderagainst sidemovement,becauseif any side. movement, takes place then: the; free; ends of thefingers may not=be in proper positiomupon recurling of the binder,- toenter the aligned holes in the stack of pagesgto be, bound. It is :tobenoted that the spreaderhooks 60. perform "the function of maintainingthe uncurled teeth of the binder against side movement, and that duringthe recurlingoperation the rings of the binder are maintained in properalignment with respect to one another, and therefore ,with respect tothe perforations I70 in the stack of pages to be bound. The spreaderhooks 60 are themselves maintained against any possible side movementduring the 'uncurling or recurling operation by the slots l5 in the topplate 12, since the spreader hooks ride in these slots duringttheforward andbackward movement of the spreader hook bar- 5|. ,The

needles or pins 8| which spread the spreader hooks also maintain thespreader hooks properly spaced and in proper alignment during thetoandfro movementof the1spreader-ihook bar. -'I'hus the spreader hooks (illprevent'side movement of theaends of the binder whilethesameisrecurling. An assembled bookmay be idisassemblediin :a,

manner similar 'to the assembling, operation. When this is to be donethe .bookcis-first positioned over the spreader finger plateZO withithespreader fingers 2| extendingin-the spaces .4, be-

tween adjacent rings of the binder and with :the'

fingers extending between the binder back 2 and one of the covers, orend sheets of the book or stack of pages. The'back 2 of the binder thuslies between the spreader finger plate 20 and the vertical front edgeI58 of the hopper assembly. Thereafter, upon rotation of the operatingshaft 38, the spreader hooks are first spread togrip the rings and thenthe spreader hook bar is moved forward to uncurl the rings and permitremoval of the stack of pages from the binder while the spreader hooks80 retain the binder in the machine.

' with aligned perforations in 'ment in one directionto effect2.'Apparatus for simultaneously. uncurling a plurality of aligned spacedresilient rings for binding astack of perforated sheets, said apparatus,including means for holding one end of each ring during theuncurlingoperation, a plurality of spreader hooks, and means forfirstmoving the spreader hooks into the respectiverings and then moving thespreader hooks in a direction away from the held ends or" .the rings toun- ,curl the rings, said lastmeans includingan operating mechanismoperable'by a continuous movethe spreader hooks successively.

3. Apparatus for, simultaneously uncurling a plurality unaligned spaced.resilientringsjfor bindinga. stack, of perforated. sheets, saidapparatus including'means for holding one-endof each ringduringtheguncurling operation, aplua t spr a r. oks. m s f m ving thooks intothe respective rings, means 'for,;then moving the hooksin adirectionawayfroin the held nd 25 e rings. w l e p ks-a e wi h n s n ern lha' 'i 5 3 rivin nections between the shaft and both ofsaid lastnamed. means, said driving connections including a lost motion mechanismfor maintaining. one of said lastnamed means stationaryduringoperationof the other of said last namednieans. r

4. Apparatus for binding a pack of sheets with a resilient binder havinga continuous back portion with curled fingers adapted for engagementsaid apparatus includingmeans for holdingl the back of the binder, aslidably mounted bar, oam

; means for sliding said bar dnringl the initial operationof the machineandhol ding said bar stationary upon continuedoperation of the machine,operating means for said cam means, means.- for uncurling .thefingers,means controlled by; the .sliding bar fonmoving the uncurling means intoper ive o t r p t te he. dena means including a lostmotion connectionbetween t e o e at means; nd t e fi er, un u s means.

5. Apparatus? for funcurling andinserting' a plurality of resilientbindenrings through aligned perforations in a stack of pages for bindingthe pages, said apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced alignedfingers for receiving one ring in each space between successive fingersand holding one end of each ringagainst forward move ment while theopposite end is free for forward movement, means having movement in onedirec- In compliance with the requirements of the v patent statutes Ihave here shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention. Itis, however, to .be understood that the invention is not limited to theprecise construction here shown, the same being merely illustrative ofthe principles of the invention. What I consider new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for simultaneously uncurling a plurality of aligned spacedresilient rings for binding a stack of perforated sheets, said apparatusincluding means for holding one end of each ring during the uncurlingoperation, a plurality of spreader hooks, and means for first mov ingthe spreader hooks into the respective rings and then moving thespreader hooks in a direction away from the held ends of the rings touncurl the rings.

tion for positioning to uncurl the rings and in anotherdirection foruncurling the rings, said means including a plurality of hook members,and operating mechanism for imparting the two motions to said hookmembers successively.

6. Apparatus for uncurling and inserting a plurality of resilient binderrings through aligned perforations in a stack of pages for binding thepages, said apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced aligned fingersfor receivingone ringrin each space between successive fingers andholding one end of each ring against forward move ment whilethe oppositeend is free for forward movement, means having movement in one directionfor positioning to uncurl the rings and in both motions of saidpack of;sheets,

means for mpvingfhe ebreadm'g mean fliti'n-h direction "at; *ri'ghtangles "to "the "length {of "the bmdmg a smck'or per'toratea gheetsgemamm- 9. mpparams re? *simuammuryumunmg a,

spreader hooks 3 rib's.

a-ma a 'fOr hMaing 'a binding 11881! its buckmeans inse'rtfor iholdmgi'bmflm'g near its back, hooks for enintb ma -range of said binding andengaging tne mner emes a single control member,

' 95nd res'pb'nslve to the operaltion of said dqntrol member ibrtausing:said h'o' k-s to enter sdid rin'gs anfl engage said inner sides and forxhermtar' musmg -'aid fir'st means and said -13. mpwmechmegnr clafisdescfibei means for holding a, bimlin'g hem its back, fingers =adaptedtoiprbjet b'bween the rmgsdrsaia-bmdmg and huv-ing'end's fdfmed mproject; into said efingr's of zeachr-pm-r to move towards each otheren'gagmg the rings of said -bi ndmg, an operating member, zmechdnismactuated by s'aid operating ixne'mbernfor iebt'asingesaidwseoond me'ansto engage dtin'g '-member =and in'clu'dlng'a lost motion con- =1s2cD0RESPINNER.

